Man Who Allegedly Tried Carrying Out Abduction, Murder Plot in Chesterfield Township At Large

 Chesterfield Township police said Friday they are searching for a 23-year-old man whom they interrupted as he tried abducting his ex-girlfriend in an alleged murder plot.

Township police say Jonathan Elbers of Reese, MI, should be considered extremely dangerous and anyone with information about his whereabouts should contact police immediately.

"We have his car, we have his phone and, according to family members, he has no other family member or associates down here and that leads us to believe he is simply or could be on the run in the area," township Detective Sgt. Deron Myers told Patch. 

Elbers is being sought after he fled on foot from police in the early morning hours Friday from a home on Nicolette Drive in the 23 Mile and Sass area in the township. Police found a rifle and duct tape in his truck parked near the victim's home, Myers said.

At approximately 1:05 a.m., township police responded to the house after receiving a call from the homeowners in Florida. They told police they were concerned their 20-year-old daughter was having problems with her ex-boyfriend. The victim's sister met officers at the home and let them in with her key, he stated.

When police entered the home, they heard the victim screaming for help. As officers approached the basement stairs, Elbers, who was bleeding from the head, emerged. He refused to comply with police commands, a struggle ensued and he broke free. A subsequent foot chase and K-9 track were unsuccessful in finding him, according to police.

The victim, who was not seriously injured, told police Elbers showed up at her home, saying he was upset over their breakup. Unable to reason with him, he forced her into the basement and began binding her and tried placing her in a large Christmas tree bag, police said. 

He then allegedly began choking her and forcing her into the bag, telling her that he was going to put her in the "back of his truck and shoot her in the head," the victim told police.

When Elbers heard police enter the home, she was able to break free and grab a porcelain statue that she used to strike him in the head with. He then fled toward the stairway, police said.

Myers said police's arrival helped prevent the situation from escalating.

"A tragic situation was defused by the quick response of the officers," he said.

By Friday afternoon, police said the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office authorized multiple felony charges against the suspect who was still at large. He will face charges of assault with intent to murder, a life felony; first-degree home invasion, a 20-year felony; unlawful imprisonment, a 15-year felony; and assaulting an officer causing injury, a 4-year felony. The officer suffered a minor injury in the scuffle.

Elbers is described as 5'10, 155 pounds, wearing a dark, long sleeve T-shirt, cargo-style jeans, and work boots. His hair is longer than it was in the attached picture and is now shaggy. He has a head wound.

Anyone with information as to his whereabouts is urged to call the Chesterfield Township Police at 586-949-2322 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

Editor's note: This story was updated Friday afternoon to reflect charges that were authorized against the suspect.

Check back with Patch for updates.